What tree is this leaf from?
Pick up a leaf (or a twig of needles) and answer a few questions. We only ask what helps narrow things down, and you can always say “not sure.” Covers 37 common trees of the U.S. and Canada.
Leaf-reading tips
Find the whole leaf
A compound leaf (like ash or walnut) has many leaflets on one stalk. Look for the bud where the stalk meets the twig. That’s where a leaf begins.
Opposite or alternate?
Only a few big tree groups have opposite leaves. Remember MADCap Horse: Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Caprifoliaceae and Horse chestnut (buckeyes).
Needles in bundles
Pines hold needles in bundles. Count them: white pine has 5 (W-H-I-T-E), red pine 2 and ponderosa usually 3.
Spruce vs. fir
Spruce needles are sharp, square and roll in your fingers. Fir needles are flat and friendly (soft).
Leaves vary a lot with age, sunlight and season, so treat results as a strong hint and check bark, buds, fruit and location too. Descriptions draw on the Arbor Day Foundation’s “What Tree Is That?” guide and Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheets.